Paper cup sip adaptor

ABSTRACT

An adaptor is provided for a cup having side walls tapered along a length of the cup. The cup has a bead around an open top of the cup. The adaptor includes a cap with a spout having openings in fluid communication with an inside of the cap. An annular base depends from the cap and has threads that engage the side walls of the cup to hold the cup to the adaptor. The base has a recess sized to engage the bead of the cup and seal the opening of the cup. Handles fasten to the adaptor for easier gripping.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/432,830, filed Dec. 12, 2002, the entire content ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to drink cups of the typetypically used by infants or person with oral impairments that inhibitnormal drinking from a cup, and more particularly relates to a sipadaptor specifically sized and configured for retrofit attachment to aconventional paper drink cup.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Most parents of infants and young children are very familiar withdrinking cups often referred to as “sippy” or “sip” cups. Sip cups ascurrently known in the art typically comprises a cup portion which isfabricated from a plastic material and formed in the same general shapeas a conventional paper drinking cup. In addition to this cup portion,the sip cup includes a lid which is engageable to the top rim of the cupportion. The lid itself typically includes an elongate spout whichprotrudes from a peripheral portion of the top surface thereof andincludes a flow opening therein which fluidly communicates with theinterior of the sip cup. In certain sip cups, the lid is threadablyengaged to the cup portion, i.e., the cup portion is formed to includeexternal threads about the rim thereof, with the lid being internallythreaded with complementary threads. In other sip cups, the lid isfrictionally engaged to the cup portion. The lid of some sip cups isprovided with a valve arrangement which allows liquid to be drawn out ofthe flow passage of the spout when suction is applied thereto, butotherwise prevents liquid from spilling or dripping out of the spoutwhen the sip cup is turned upside down or on its side and no suction isbeing applied to the spout.

[0004] In eating establishments where young children or toddlers areoften found (e.g., fast-food restaurants, amusement park concessionstands, etc.), it is the typical practice that a beverage is provided ina paper drinking cup. The paper drinking cup is typically provided witha plastic lid enclosure on one end thereof to contain the liquid withinthe cup, the lid enclosure including a slit for accommodating theadvancement of a straw therethrough into the interior of the cup.Oftentimes, a toddler cannot be trusted to drink out of the cup/strawarrangement since there is still a high susceptibility for the lidenclosure to be dislodged from the cup and the contents spilling overthe toddler. As such, it is a common practice for parents to pour thecontents of the paper drinking cup into the cup portion of a sip cup,thereafter re-attaching the lid to the cup portion of the sip cup. Thesip cup filled with the beverage is typically easier for the toddler tohandle, and has substantially less susceptibility to spillage.

[0005] However, the initial transfer of the beverage from within thepaper cup into the cup portion of the sip cup itself creates asusceptibility to accidental spillage. The present invention addressesthis problem by providing a paper cup sip adaptor which is specificallysized and configured for retrofit attachment to a conventional paperbeverage cup and provides the functional attributes of the lid of a sipcup.

SUMMARY

[0006] The above problems, and others, are resolved by providing anadaptor for a commonly available cup having a longitudinal axis, the cuphaving side walls tapered along a length of that axis and having asmaller bottom and forming a larger circular opening with a bead aroundthe opening.

[0007] The adaptor has threads that engage the interior walls of the cupto hold the cup to the adaptor. The adaptor has a recess that cooperateswith the bead on the cup to seal the adaptor to the cup. The adaptor hasa sippy spout to allow a child to sip from the cup.

[0008] In a further embodiment, the threads can comprise annular ringsorthogonal to the longitudinal axis, with the rings (or threads) made ofa softer material to better grip the cup and to form a better fluidtight seal as the rings engage the cup. The adaptor can be made ofmolded plastic, preferably PVC.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] These, as well as other features of the present invention willbecome more apparent upon reference to the drawings in which likenumbers refer to like parts throughout, and wherein:

[0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the sip cup adaptorprior to being operatively interfaced to a conventional paper beveragecup;

[0011]FIG. 2 is a partial cross sectional view showing the sip cupadaptor of FIG. 1, engaged with a cup;

[0012]FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of the sip cup adaptor of FIG.1;

[0013]FIG. 4 is a side view of a further embodiment of the sip cupadaptor having handles;

[0014]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of theadaptor of FIG. 1;

[0015]FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 5;

[0016]FIG. 7 is a cross section of a further embodiment of the sip cupadaptor of FIG. 1; and

[0017]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a ring containing annular rings orthreads as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are forpurposes of illustrating one embodiment of the present invention only,and not for purposes of limiting the same, the subject invention isdirected to a sip cup cap 10 which is adapted for retrofit attachment toa conventional paper beverage cup 12. As best seen in FIGS. 1-3, suchconventional beverage cup 12 comprises an outer wall 14 which has agenerally frusto-conical configuration. The interior of the walls 14abut the liquid or other material held in the cup 12. The interior ofthe walls 14 are not threaded. Extending along the periphery of one endof the outer wall 14 is a continuous, enlarged bead 16 which defines therim of the beverage cup 12 and that encircles the opening that allowsaccess to the inside of cup.

[0019] In accordance with conventional construction techniques, the bead16 of the beverage cup 12 has a generally circular cross-sectionalconfiguration, with the diameter of the bead 16 varying with the size ofthe cup 12. The cup 12, and bead 16, are typically made of a paper-basedmaterial coated with a sealant such as wax or plastic, although theentire cup 12 may be made of plastic. Other materials could of course beused to form a fluid container comprising the cup 12, including metals.

[0020] As used herein, the up, upper or top direction or part refers tothe relative direction along a longitudinal axis 13 extending from thebottom of the cup 18 toward the top of the cup 12, which direction isgenerally vertical when the bottom 18 rests on or parallel to theground. As used herein, the term inner or inward refers to a directiongenerally toward the inside of the cup 12 and preferably toward alongitudinal axis 13 of the cup 12. The term outer or outward indicatesa direction away from that centerline.

[0021] The sip cup cap 10 of the present invention advantageouslycomprises a single part that is preferably formed from a single piece ofmaterial, and preferably integrally molded from a single piece ofmaterial. The cap 10 is preferably made of plastic suitable for use indrinking cups. PVC is believed suitable.

[0022] The cap 10 has a base 20 forming an annular flange extendingalong longitudinal axis 13 and depending from the cap 10. Externalthreads 22 are formed on the base. The cap 10 has a top wall 24 fromwhich extends outwardly a spout 26. One or more openings 28 extendthrough a distal end of the spout 26. The spout 26 is in fluidcommunication with an opening 30 defined by the annular base 20.

[0023] Formed in the cap 10, at the upper portion of the base 20 and thethreads 22 is a recess 32 formed by a top wall 36 and an interior sidewall 38 and an exterior lip 34. The lip 34 extends around the peripheryof the cap and advantageously, but optionally, extends along thelongitudinal axis 13 a distance that preferably overlaps and still morepreferably extends axially along a substantial length of the interiorwall 38.

[0024] During use of the cap 10, the threads 22 on base 20 engage thewall 14 of cup 12 and allow the cap 10 to be screwed into the cup 12until the bead nests within the recess 32. The engagement of the threads22 with the wall 14 holds the cup 12 to the cap 10. Further, the threads22 are preferably, but optionally, continuous threads rather thanintermittent threads, as for example threads with vertical separationsbetween groups of threads. The continuous threads are preferred becausethe threads 22 can for a fluid tight seal with the wall 14 to reduce, orprevent fluid flow out of the cup 12.

[0025] Advantageously, the lip 34 is spaced from the base 20 a distancesmaller than the diameter of the annular bead 12. If the lip 34 issufficiently flexible, it can “snap” over the bead 34 to realasably holdor releasably lock the bead 16 in the recess 32. Further, as the cap 10is threaded onto the cup 12, the bead 12 will be forced against the wallof the cup 12 causing the bead 16 to deform and form a seal between thewalls defining the recess 32 and the bead 16. The bead 16 preferablydeforms against the portion of the cap 10 extending generally orthogonalto the axis 13 and defining the top 36 of the recess 32. Thatdeformation tends to form the bead 16 from a circular-cross sectionalshape into an oval cross-sectional shape with a horizontally orientedlong axis on the oval, when viewed in the orientation of the Figures.That deformation is preferably slight so as to form a liquid sealbetween the walls forming the recess 32 and the bead 16.

[0026] Preferably the inner wall 38 is an annular wall having a diameterthat is about the same as the diameter at which the interior wall ofbead 16 is located. Alternatively, the inner wall 38 of the recess 32may have a diameter slightly larger than the diameter at which theinterior wall of the bead 16 is located. That will cause the bead 16 todeform slightly into an oval shape, with the long axis of the oval beingparallel to longitudinal axis 13. The location of inner wall 38 cannotbe too much larger than the location of the interior wall of bead 16 orthe bead 16 will tear, buckle or deform in a way that does not form afluid tight seal.

[0027] Preferably the wall 38, top 36 and lip 34 form a curved surfacethat forms a fluid tight seal with bead 16. A recess 32 having acircular cross-sectional shape to conform to the cross-sectional shapeof the bead 16. Thus, the wall 38, top 36 and lip 34 preferably form anannular recess 34 having a circular cross-sectional shape.

[0028] Advantageously, the inner wall 38 has lower portion 40 thatextends underneath a portion of the bead 16. That is achieved by havingthe lower portion 40 have a diameter larger than the inner diameter ofbead 16. That lower portion 40 may be formed by one of the threads 22.Preferably the lower portion 40 helps keep the bead 16 from moving alongthe direction of axis 13 and slipping out of the recess 32.Alternatively, the lower portion 40 may engage the bead 16 only when thebead is deformed by being forced against the top wall 36, the side wall38, or both.

[0029] Advantageously, the lip 34 has a distal end that extendsunderneath a portion of the bead 16. That is achieved by having thedistal end of lip 34 located at a diameter smaller than the outerdiameter of bead 16. That also requires the distal end of lip 34 toextend beyond the mid-point of the bead 16. Preferably the distal end oflip 34 helps keep the bead 16 from moving along the direction of axis 13and slipping out of the recess 32. Alternatively, the distal end of lip34 may engage the bead 16 only when the bead is deformed by being forcedagainst the top wall 36, the side wall 38, or both.

[0030] While the lip 34 is desirable, it is believed to be optional.Thus, the recess could comprise an open groove formed by side all 38 andtop wall 36. This is not believed to be as preferable as it is notbelieved to form as good a seal with the bead 16 as is achieved when thelip 34 engages a lower portion of the outside of bead 16.

[0031] The base 20 preferably extends parallel to the longitudinal axis13. The walls 14 of the cup 12 are tapered relative to axis 13. As thebase 20 is screwed into the cup 12, the base 20 forces the walls 14 todeform away from axis 13 and form a frictional fit that advantageouslynot only helps hold the cup 12 to the base 20 and cap 10, but that alsoadvantageously forms a fluid seal. The distal or lower end 42 of base 20preferably has an exterior facing surface that is flat or slightlyrounded. That configuration avoids causing the distal end 42 to cutinto, cut through, tear, or otherwise adversely damage the wall 14 thatabout the distal end during use. As the paper or plastic cup 14 is held,the wall 14 will be forced against the exterior of base 20 and distalend 42. The curved, non-sharp shape of the distal end 42 helps avoiddamage from repeated abrasion that can arise from repeated grabbing ofthe cup 12.

[0032] While the annular base 20 preferably extends parallel tolongitudinal axis 13, the base 20 may be tapered to better conform tothe tapered wall 14 of cup 12. The inclination will vary, depending inpart on the radial stiffness of the base 20 and the strength of walls 14and the length of the base 20 along the longitudinal axis 13. Therelative diameters of the wall 14 at the location where the wall abutsthe threads 22, and especially where the wall 14 abuts the distal end 42of base 20, when the bead 16 is placed in the recess 32, must be suchthat the wall 14 does not get cut or torn during use of the cap 12. Thewalls 14 may be tapered at an angle θ of from about 5 about to 15degrees relative to the axis 13. An angle of about 10 degrees is common.The base 20 may be inclined at an angle Δ that is about 5 degrees less,and preferably about 2-3 degrees less than the inclination of the walls14.

[0033] The spacing between the crests of the threads 22, the shape ofthe threads (square, inclined, rounded, curved), the inclination of thethreads and other aspects of the thread shape will vary. The variousfactors are selected to achieve a thread 22 that will readily engage thewalls 14 and form a sufficient engagement with the un-threaded walls 14to allow the cup 12 to be held by the cap 10 during use. Advantageouslythe threads 22 are also configured to provide resistance to fluidpassage past the threads 22, and preferably the threads are configuredto prevent fluid passage past the threads.

[0034] A wide variety of threads configurations are believed suitable.Threads with flat crests and slight broken edges or slightly roundedcrests are believed suitable because any sharp crests will cut the walls14 and risk tearing. A square thread with slightly rounded corners onthe crests is believed suitable. The spacing between threads ispreferably about the same as the diameter of bead 16. A spacing of fromabout {fraction (1/16)} to about {fraction (5/16)} inch is believedsuitable for most cups 12. Advantageously there are very few threads 22.Two—three threads are believed suitable, and preferably under fivethreads. Single lead threads are believed preferable. From one to fourturns or rotations of cap 10 are believed suitable to completely fastenthe cap 10 to the cup 12, with about 2 turns to fasten the cap beingpreferred.

[0035] The few turns of the threads 22 results in a fairly short axiallength of the base 20. A length of about ⅜ to one inch is believedsuitable, with a length of about ⅜ to {fraction ({fraction (3/4)})} inchbelieved to be preferable, and that length includes the flat, unthreadedportion adjacent distal end 42.

[0036] The cap 10 may be made of various materials, including metals,but plastic is the preferred material. A PVC material or polycarbonatematerial is believed suitable. A PVC with a hardness of about 70 Shore Adurometer, is believed suitable.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 4, in a further embodiment a handle 44 extendsfrom the cap 10 so that the handle or handles 44 can be consistentlyorientated relative to the spout 38. The handle 44 preferably, butoptionally, is slightly curved to provide more room for a child's handsto fit between the handle and the cup 12. The handle 44 thus extendslaterally from the cap 10 along an axis radial to a centerline 13 of thecup 12 and then curves to extend along a length of the cup 12. Becausethe cup 12 is tapered, the handle 44 can extend in a gradual arc withoutany prominent lateral section as shown in FIG. 4. Advantageously, butoptionally, the handle 44 extends for about 1/2 to 3/4 of a length ofthe cup 12. That allows a child to hold the handle at about the middleof the cup, near the center of gravity of the cup 12. A handle 44extending a length of about 3-4 inches (76 mm-100 mm) along the lengthof a cup 12 is believed suitable.

[0038] The handle 44 is advantageously thick enough so it will not breakunder use and abuse by a child. A handle 44 with a circular or ovalcross section is preferred, and a smooth surface to avoid abrasion. Buta textured gripping surface could be provided along the gripping areasof the handle. Knurling or slightly roughened areas along the straightportions are believed suitable.

[0039] Advantageously, there are two handles 44 extending from opposingsides of the cap 10. More than two handles 44 could be formed. If four,equally spaced handles are provided, then the cup 12 can rest on a lowertwo of the handles while being held by an upper two of the handles by achild. Advantageously the handles 44 are integrally molded withwhichever of the cap 10 to which the handles 44 are fastened, but thehandles could formed separately and then glued, welded, adhered orfastened to the cap. Alternatively, one or more handles 44 could befastened or molded to the cap 10. A variety of configurations for ahandle 44 could be used and the depicted configuration is given forillustration, not limitation.

[0040] Referring to FIGS. 5-6, a further embodiment is shown. Thethreads 22 on the base 20 are formed of a different material than theremainder of the cap 10. Advantageously the threads 22 are of a softerand plastic material than the remainder of the cap 10. Preferably, butoptionally, the cap can be molded of hard PVC, while the threads 22 aremolded of a softer PVC. The molding can be sequential, or the threadscan be formed on an annular ring 45 (FIG. 8) and fit over a matingrecess formed in the base 20 of cap 10, and then glued, bonded orotherwise fastened together. The softer threads 22 could be selected tomore readily deform when engaged with the cup 12, and thus provide abetter fluid seal with the walls 14, and also provide improved grippingof the walls 14.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 7, in a still further embodiment, the threads22 could comprise annular rings 46 that are in planes orthogonal to thelongitudinal axis 13 of the cap 10 and cup 12. The rings 46 preferably,but optionally have rounded crests, although flat crests are believedsuitable. Because the rings 46 are not inclined to axis 13 as are thethreads 22, the rings 46 allow the base 20 to be pushed along axis 13 toengage the rings 46 with walls 14. The rings 46 are shown mounted on acylindrical base of uniform diameter rather than a tapered diameter.This uniform diameter works well only if the axial length of the ringsis short as the taper in the cup 12 may cause enough interference to ripthe cup. For most embodiments, a tapered base 20 is preferred, with thetaper being approximately the same as the taper of the cup 12, or asfurther described in this disclosure.

[0042] Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that variousmodifications to the cap 10 may be implemented without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, variousshaped caps 10 may be formed to include the above-described spout 26,including drip-less spouts and spouts with valve arrangements.Additional modifications and improvements of the present invention mayalso be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Further, thevarious features of this invention can be used alone, or in varyingcombinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to thespecific combination described herein. Thus, the particular combinationof parts described and illustrated herein is intended to represent onlycertain embodiments of the present invention, and is not intended toserve as limitations of alternative devices within the spirit and scopeof the invention.

I claim:
 1. An adaptor for a cup having a longitudinal axis, the cuphaving side walls tapered along a length of that axis and having asmaller bottom and forming a larger circular opening with a bead aroundthe opening, the adaptor comprising: a cap with a spout thereon, thespout having openings in fluid communication with an inside of the cap;an annular base depending from the cap and having threads on an exteriorsurface of the base, the base having a recess sized to engage the beadof the cup during use of the cap, the base and threads being sized tothreadingly engage the walls of the cup during use of the capsufficiently to hold the cup to the cap.
 2. The adaptor of claim 1,further comprising at least one handle extending from the cap and alongthe longitudinal axis an axial distance that extends beyond the base. 3.The adaptor of claim 1, further comprising a lip opposite the whereinthe base is a cylinder.
 4. The adaptor of claim 1, further comprising alip opposite the base and defining a portion of the recess to more fullyenclose the bead of the cup during use of the cap.
 5. The adaptor ofclaim 4, wherein the distance between the lip and the opposing wall ofthe base is smaller than a diameter of the bead of the cup to which thecap is fastened during use.
 6. The adaptor of claim 1, wherein the basehas a distal end tapered toward the longitudinal axis.
 7. The adaptor ofclaim 6, wherein the relative taper between the base and the cup is lessthan about 5 degrees.
 8. The adaptor of claim 1, wherein there are aboutfour or fewer threads.
 9. The adaptor of claim 1, further comprising aflat portion on the exterior, distal end of the base.
 10. The adaptor ofclaim 1, wherein the recess comprises an annular recess having acircular cross-section and enclosed on three sides by the cap, thecircular cross section having a center that is at about the same radiusfrom the longitudinal axis as is the center of the bead of the cup fromthe longitudinal axis.
 11. The adaptor of claim 1, wherein the recesscomprises an annular recess having a circular cross-section and enclosedon three sides by the cap, the circular cross section having a centerthat is at a slightly larger radius from the longitudinal axis than isthe center of the bead of the cup.
 12. The adaptor of claim 1, whereinthe threads are formed on an annular insert fastened to the base andmade of a softer material than the base.
 13. The adaptor of claim 1,wherein the threads comprise annular rings orthogonal to thelongitudinal axis, and are formed on an annular insert fastened to thebase and made of a softer material than the base.
 14. The adaptor ofclaim 1, further comprising the cup fastened to the adaptor, and whereinthe threads on the base deform the walls of the cup without tearing thewalls.
 15. The adaptor of claim 14, wherein the recess engages a lowerportion of the bead of the cup.
 16. The adaptor of claim 15, wherein thebead is compressed in the recess to form an oval having a long axisparallel to the longitudinal axis of the cup.
 17. The adaptor of claim15, wherein the bead is compressed in the recess to form an oval havinga long axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the cup.
 18. Anadaptor for a cup having a longitudinal axis, the cup having side wallstapered along a length of that axis and having a smaller bottom andforming a larger circular opening with a bead around the opening, theadaptor comprising: a cap with a spout thereon, the spout havingopenings in fluid communication with an inside of the cap; an annularbase depending from the cap and having means for engaging the walls ofthe cup during use of the cap sufficiently to hold the cup to the cap.19. The adaptor of claim 18, wherein the means are on an insert.
 20. Amethod for fastening a cap to a cup, the cup having a longitudinal axiswith side walls tapered along a length of that axis and having a smallerbottom and forming a larger circular opening with a bead around theopening, the cap having a spout with openings in fluid communicationwith an inside of the cap, comprising: providing an annular basedepending from the cap with threads on an exterior surface of the base;providing the base with a recess sized to engage the bead of the cupduring use of the cap; and threadingly engaging the walls of the cupwith the threads.
 21. The method of claim 20, further comprisingthreadingly engaging the walls of the cup with the threads until therecess engages the bead of the cup.
 22. The method of claim 20, furthercomprising providing at least one handle to extend from the cap andalong the longitudinal axis an axial distance that extends beyond thebase.
 23. The method of claim 21, further comprising providing a lipopposite the base and forming a portion of the recess and more fullyenclosing the bead of the cup.
 24. The method of claim 20, comprisingforming the threads on an annular insert.
 25. The method of claim 24,further comprising forming the annular insert of a softer material thanthe base.